There were discussions to create a promenade on Normal Street in Hillcrest as early as 2015. When construction finally began in 2025, the city said it would be done by the beginning of San Diego Pride festivities in 2026.
But that finish date has been moved back to 2027, changing where some Pride mainstays, including the rally, block party and parade route, will take place. San Diego Pride events begin July 11, with the parade set for July 18.
The Pride Promenade aims to transform Normal Street into a community hub with a rainbow bike lane, new art and landscaping, an improved stormwater system, more public seating and a playground. The playground will be part of Hillcrest’s first public park.
Inside the construction zone on Normal Street on June 29, 2026. (Photo by Adrian Childress/Times of San Diego)In addition, it includes a Pride Plaza around the Hillcrest Pride Flag, which has often been the community gathering spot for vigils, protests and festivities. Once completed, that gathering area will be enclosed without encroachment from car traffic.
Brittany Bailey, the government affairs and grants program manager for Mayor Todd Gloria’s office, has worked on the Normal Street Promenade project since 2017.
Bailey said that the Pride Promenade is meant to be an inclusive space where everyone is accepted.
“We tried to demonstrate that and put specific design elements to make folks feel at home and to communicate that message,” Bailey said.
In the meantime, the Spirit of Stonewall Rally, which was originally supposed to happen at the promenade on July 17, will shift about a mile west.
“That Pride promenade is not ready yet for Pride celebrations this year, but we are excited to have secured a new location to host the Stonewall Rally right across the street from the Brass Rail on the other side of Hillcrest,” said KishaLynn Elliott, executive director of San Diego Pride.
Hillcrest Business Association Executive Director Benjamin Nicholls, whose office overlooks the promenade, explained that construction has taken longer because of the infrastructure that crews found underground, like old street car lines and pipes.
“I think by Pride it might look complete, but I don’t think they’re gonna open it to the public because there’s a bunch of stuff they have to do to get it 100%,” Nicholls said.
Nicholls said he understood that nobody likes construction, but that people are looking forward to a new public space that is LGBTQ+ oriented.
“This space really has a huge amount of community buy-in,” Nicholls said.
Pride Plaza and Normal Street Promenade under construction in Hillcrest on June 23, 2026. (Photo by Adrian Childress/Times of San Diego)The project is jointly funded by the city and the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG). The estimated cost was nearly $28 million.
Once finished, it will cost about $600,000 a year to manage the promenade, according to Nicholls. The community will have to fundraise to pay for it, which Nicholls says will be a challenge.
“The city is like, ‘Okay, we’ll build your park, but you’ve got to maintain it,’” Nicholls said.
Three teams of University of San Diego students from the Knauss Business School identified different ways to cover the cost of maintaining the promenade.
The community has bought into the Normal Street Promenade through years of fundraising and advocacy. LGBTQ+ people and allies also bought bricks, to be installed at Pride Plaza, to cover expenses there.
Bailey said that she wants the promenade to be a comfortable space for people of all ages to walk, bike and hang out.
“This is the heart of Hillcrest and the heart of our community,” Bailey said.
Normal Street Promenade, which includes a small park area, under construction on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (Photo by Adrian Childress/Times of San Diego)Hence then, the article about city to miss july target to finish pride promenade completion of hillcrest landmark now delayed until 2027 was published today ( ) and is available on Times of San Diego ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( City to miss July target to finish Pride Promenade; completion of Hillcrest landmark now delayed until 2027 )
Also on site :
- Trump says Iran has ‘requested meeting’ in Doha on Tuesday
- Eric Hutchinson Sets First Australian Headline Tour in 16 Years
- Kevin Spacey On Being Gay & Closeted: “I Always Felt That I Was Being Attacked”